Tilghman w



(No Model.)

T. W. LANKFORD.

CRATE. No. 376,321. Patented Jan. 10, 1888'.

l qli imeowo A amvewtoz N. PETERS. FhuloLi c.

UNITED STAT S PATENT ()FFIC TILGHMAN W.- LANKFOHD, OF SHARPTOW'N, MARYLAND.

CRATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 376,321, dated January 1 0, 18 88.

Application filed February 17, 1887. Serial No. 225,942. (No model.)

to use the same.

My invention relates to crates, and more especially to covers for crates.

The object of my invention isto provide a crate with devices to secure the'cover when [5 placed in position.

. The invention consists in the'featurcs of construction hereinafter fully described and claimed. J" In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is 20 a perspective of my improved crate with the cover removed. Fig. 2 is a vertical section onthe line a" 00 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the cover, takeni'rom its under side.

The letter A indicates the crate, which is shown as circular, and made from staves in two layers, interlapped to break joints, and with inner and outer hoops; but any preferred construction of crate may be employed.

0 B B represent cleats secured to the inner side of the crate diametrically opposite each other, and extending from the bottom to the top edge of the crate. The cleats B B are beveled at each side, as seen at b, and just a 5 below their upper ends they are transversely grooved, the lower wall of the groove being horizontal, while the upperv wall is incline'd or undercut. The crate, as thus constructed, is adapted to receive the fruit-boxes o 0, which are here shown as hexagonal, and a are arranged in layers one above the other.

' The beveled cleats, it will be seen, fit within the space between the two adjacent boxes of each layer of boxes, and thus limit their lateral movement. The strips or cleats B B not only serve as stops to prevent undue jarring of the boxes, but also re-en force and strengthen the crate. 4

D represents the crate-cover, consisting of an outer section or cover proper, d, and an v with the recesses G G opposite the cleats, and

then give the cover a slight turn to force the inclined edges H H of the disk d into the grooves of the cleats.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

The combination, with a crate, box, or other vessel, of oppositely-arranged cleats having grooves, the lower walls of which are .horizontat and the upper walls inclined; and a cover provided on its under face with a disk, d, said disk provided with recesses G G, and having its periphery beveled to form inclined edges H H, which coincide with the grooves in thecleats, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

TILGHMAN W. LANKFORD.

WVitnesses:

THOS. F. J. RIDER,

F. M. SLEMoNs. 

